Featured Photo Gallery
Our Belgian Foremothers
Sr. Claudette Jeanquart
Gloria May Jeanquart was born with her twin sister Glory Mae to Joseph Jr. and Antoinette (Servais) Jeanquart. She grew up in the 1930's and 40’s with 10 other siblings on a farm in Namur and attended grade school at Pleasant Ridge, a one room school house. In 1954, she entered religious life with the Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross and became Sr. Claudette. She finished high school at St. Francis Preparatory Novitiate at the Chapel in Robinsonville (now the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help) and earned a bachelor's degree in education from St. Norbert College in De Pere and a certificate of completion from the Theological Institute. Sr. Claudette was the religious coordinator at St. Mary's in the 1970's and 80's. For 26 years she taught in Catholic schools and coordinated religious education programs in the Green Bay Diocese. Her love of nature and interest in science, ecology and outdoor education led her to develop curriculum guides for teachers through the statewide Cooperative Educational Service Agency. In the 1980s, Sister Claudette began a new career in elder home care. While working with the elderly, Sister also taught watercolor painting as a hobby and as therapy in Allouez, De Pere and Green Bay. Sister Claudette has received awards for her clay sculptures and watercolor paintings. She was a member of three local art groups and has had paintings displayed at the Neville Public Museum in Green Bay, the Miller Art Museum in Sturgeon Bay, the Kohler Art Center in Sheboygan and the Peninsula Art School in Fish Creek. She has given many hours to Wellspring: A Place of Peace for Women. Information courtesy: Sisters of St. Francis of the Holy Cross, Bay Settlement. Photo courtesy: Sr. Claudette Jeanquart
Emmerence Gaspard Englebert
Emmerence Gaspard was born on February 28, 1846 Thorembais-St. Trond, Brabant, Belgium. She immigrated in 1856 at the age of nine to Wisconsin accompanied by her parents. They left Antwerp, Belgium on August 12, 1856 sailing on the ship the Richard Morse arriving in New York on September 29, 1856. They eventually made it to Wisconsin settling near Brussels, Wisconsin. As the eldest daughter, Emmerence would many times walk to Dyckesville with grain wrapped in a bag put over her head to be ground into flour. She then had to walk back worrying about getting lost or attacked by wolves. Emmerence married Desire Englebert in 1865 and with him helped to clear the land where they built a small log cabin. Things would come to a halt on October 8, 1871 when Emmerence, Desire and their small son had to descend into a hand dug well on their property to escape the Great Fire of 1871. They spent the night saying the rosary and passing their small son back and forth to keep him safe from falling timbers. In the morning they crawled out of the well to find out that everything they had worked so hard for was gone except for the clothes on their backs. Records indicate that Emmerence was pregnant at the time and her son was still born. They overcame this terrible tragedy by turning more to dairy farming and built a larger home of red brick. She had more children and remained in this home until she died on August 5, 1921. Courtesy: Barb (Englebert) Chisholm; Barb is Emmerence's great-granddaughter
Julie DeFaux Collard
Julie was born November 28, 1819 in Saint-Denis, Belgium. She married Alexandre Jacquart and had a daughter, Josephine (later Renard), in 1844. Alexandre died in 1846. On November 13, 1851, Julie married Jean Martin Collard. They departed from Antwerp for the United States on March 13,1856 aboard the Francis B. Cutting with Josephine and their two young children, Clarisse (age 4) and Jean Baptiste (age 1). This photo was taken before they left Belgium. They landed in New York on April 28, 1856 and settled in the town of Union. Their young son died in 1857. In 1862, they had another son, also named Jean Baptiste. Census records list Martin as a farmer and Julie's occupation as keeping house. Julie lost her daughter, Clarisse Jauquet in 1879. Julie died tragically on July 27, 1883 after being struck by lightning inside her home. She was 63. Courtesy: Leonard & Judy Lampereur family, Julie's great-great-great grandchildren
Margaret Lampereur Draize
Margaret was born on February 4, 1927. On December 26, 1946 she married Ivan Draize at St. Mary of the Snows in Namur. Margaret was an elementary school teacher for 44 years. Margaret is the author of Belgian American Customs and Cookbook. First published in 1996 and reprinted in 2019, the book remains popular today for its lively stories, old-fashioned recipes, home remedies, and nostalgia from Wisconsin and Belgium. Margaret and Ivan spent much of their lives dedicated to sharing the customs, language, foods, and dance of our Walloon Belgian ancestors. Together, the Draize's spent years calling local square dances in the Walloon language, holding impromptu Walloon language lessons in their rural Brussels home, hosting many visitors from Belgium, and sharing countless traditional Belgian meals with friends and neighbors. Their lives were a lesson in preserving the culture that defines us and honoring the sacrifices made by our ancestors. Courtesy: Belgian Heritage Center
Palmy Chaudoir Jeanquart
Our Grandma Palmy was born on April 5, 1905 to Eli and Emma Chaudoir. Her entire faithful, Christian life was lived in the town of Union; first at Chaudoir's Dock, then on highway 57 next to St. Mary of the Snow Church where she married Harvey Jeanquart in February 1927 and sang in the choir for many years. Married and with 4 children, they lived on a farm on Pit Road where she used the summer kitchen to bake Belgian Pies and homemade breads. Palmy's favorite things were visits to The Chapel in Robinsonville with family, ice cream at the Frosty Tip in Dykesville, gardening, watching the Packers and her favorite show, The Golden Girls. We all remember her specialty pancakes with the toasty, browned edges and the comforting, squishy feather pillows on many sleepovers. Grandma loved her Belgian heritage and spoke the language often. She passed on her excellent culinary skills to her grandchildren who try to incorporate them in our own cooking and baking. My grandma was a very special person, role model and spiritual guide who will forever be in our hearts. Photo courtesy of Kewaunee Record Herald; information courtesy of Mary (Moore) Wulf, Palmy's granddaughter
Mary Massart DeKeyser
Mary DeKeyser was born Mary Ann Joseph Massart on July 19, 1880 near Rosiere to John Baptiste Massart and Elizabeth Philomine Quartemont. She grew up in a family with three brothers and three sisters. The family’s farm was located on Misiere Road just north of County X in the Town of Brussels in Door County. The red brick house she was born in has been remodeled and still stands today. As a young woman, Mary worked for Louie & Louise Rubens in their boarding house/store. It was here that she met her future husband who was a brother of Mrs. Rubens. Mary married John Baptiste Joseph DeKeyser at St. Hubert Catholic church on April 13, 1910. Mary became a mother nine months later and had a total of six children. But like her mother before her, she suffered the death of two of her children. First her daughter, Rose died in her sleep at the age of eight. Later her oldest son, John Jr., developed bone cancer and after the battle of more than a year he died at the age of 24. John & Mary lived on the DeKeyser homestead near Namur, with her in-laws. They lived in a small section in the back of the family home. After the death of her father-in-law in 1928, John built them a new, larger home. Mary’s sister, Josephine had married John’s brother, George and they lived about a half mile away. Because of their closeness, the children grew up for all intents and proposes with two mothers. Mary was also to be blessed with nine grandchildren. Mary’s son, Gabe, never married and lived with his parents on the home farm. When John died of a sudden heart attack, Mary continued to live on the farm with her son, Gabe. Mary died at the home of her daughter, Laura Delveaux on May 1, 1965 at the age of 84. At the time of her death, Mary had four great grandchildren. Courtesy: Sue (DeKeyser) Havel, Mary’s great-granddaughter
Catherine Gerondale Baudhuin
Catherine Gerondale was born in Perwez in the Belgian province of Walloon Brabant to Guilliaume and Julia (Marichel) Gerondale in 1853. She was their only child. The family came to Wisconsin in 1856 and settled in the Town of Union in Door County. On October 19, 1871 she married Marcellin Baudhuin, just 11 days after the Great Fire that destroyed much of the Belgian settlement area. They continued to farm and live on the property established by her parents on what is now County Road DK between Namur and Brussels. She and Marcellin had 15 children (12 who survived to adulthood) and 65 grandchildren. She died at home in 1931 at the age of 77. Courtesy: Ann Jinkins, Catherine’s great-granddaughter
Palmy Chaudoir Jeanquart
The sweet little girl you see in the picture was Palmy Chaudoir. She was born on April 5, 1905, grew up and married Harvey Jeanquart and had four children. One of them was Bernadette (Bernie) and she became my mother-in-law in 1978. My husband, Nick, was especially close to his Gramma and Grampa Jeanquart, so I got to know them through him. Palmy was a dedicated homemaker. The smell of freshly baked bread drew me in every time we entered her home. She made many delicious Belgian dishes which were new to me: trippe, jutt, Belgian prune pies, and even dandelion potatoes. She had all her recipes in her head, so I hung around the stove trying to catch which ingredients and how much. "Like the size of an egg," she would say. It was fun to hear her speak Walloon to her husband and relatives, and I quickly picked up Bond jou! (hello). Palmy always wore an apron and had her long hair pinned up. I interrupted her unexpectedly one evening, and "caught" her with her hair down. She modestly held it up with one hand as we conversed. Palmy was a very faithful Catholic. Nick has many memories of her kneeling on the floor saying the Rosary. She never gossiped about anyone. She would simply say to pray for the person. I never got to know either of my grandmothers who died very young. What a blessing it was for me to get to know this lovely Belgian woman! Courtesy: Kay (McCabe) Moore, Palmy’s granddaughter-in-law
Caroline Hella Rankin
My 3rd great grandmother Caroline has the lead in a captivating Rankin family history that begins in Racour, Belgium with her "Pieces de mariage." Soon after the death of husband Charles-Louis Renquin and the birth of their 6th child, Caroline emigrates to Brussels, Wisconsin. Here Louis Joseph Rankin and other Belgian families become part of Caroline's family including Jean Joseph, Constant, and Pelagie Piton, Joseph, Joseph Jr. Gigot(n), and Alexander Bousman. None of the many trials Caroline faces held her down. She is irrepressible. Inspirational. And she lives to be 87 years old. She was the first in my Rankin family to come to America. The Brussels plat map from 1899 marks the property Caroline and her family owned. Courtesy of Linda Hinners, Caroline’s third-great granddaughter
Josephine Massart Delwiche
Mary Josephine Massart was born January 3, 1877 in the Town of Lincoln to Maximilien (Mike) Massart & Mary Louise Villers. She married Charles Delwiche on July 21, 1898 at St. Hubert’s church in Rosiere. They farmed in Casco and had six children: John, Louisa, Ella, Joseph, Walter and Gilbert. Despite experiencing sad losses in the early deaths of her sons John and Walter and daughter Louisa, Josephine was a very kind and caring person. In this picture from 1942, she is in the snow with her granddaughter, Judy (Delwiche) Lampereur, wearing a dress. Eventually, Charles and Josephine would have 10 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. Josephine died in 1968 at 91 years old. Courtesy: Sandy (Lampereur) Orsted, Josephine’s great granddaughter
Amelie Delforge Thiry
Amelie was born on August 26, 1827 in Monseau-sur-Sombre in Hainaut, Belgium. She married Constant Thiry on August 25, 1852. They immigrated to the US in 1856 with their children Alice, Jule and Ernest L. They later had five more children: Emma, Edmond, Augustine, Juliette and Constant II. Constant claimed 200 acres in the south east portion of the town of Red River where Constant and Amelie built a log home in 1857 out of logs cleared from their land using hand tools. The building survived the Great Fire in 1871 and stood until 2005. For forty years, Constant and Amelie ran a tavern in Thiry Daems, with residence, dance hall and boarding house. It was built in the late 1860’s and destroyed by fire in the 1970’s. So that Fr. Daems could share mass with area settlers, Constant and Amelie donated five acres of land for St. Odile’s Church and Cemetery. The first of two log churches was built in 1858. A brick church was constructed in 1914. Constant and Amelie are both buried there. Amelie died on September 13, 1898 at age 71. Courtesy: Monica Thiry, Amelie’s great-great-great granddaughter
Jean Lardinois Guth
Jean Guth was born on March 30, 1919 in Brussels Wisconsin to John B. Lardinois the II and Ida Rouer Lardinois. She was baptized Mary Josephine Lardinois. Many in the community knew her as Evangeline (Angeline) and in later years as Jean. This posed a great problem when, as a founding member of the Peninsula Belgian American Club, she struggled to verify her identity when her passport application was submitted. She persevered and was able to travel to Belgium with the group and her husband Ray in the 1970’s. Young Jean learned to make Belgian Pies from her mother Ida who learned from her mother Adele Deviller Vandertie Rouer and mother-in-law, Mary LuMaye Lardinois. Mary and Adele were born in Belgium and immigrated to the U.S. as adults, married and both had large families. In 1970, Jean was featured in the Door County Advocate and the Milwaukee Journal. The article, "Learn Belgian Pie Making From One Who Knows How" by Dorothy Fleming was one of the first featured articles of that era and Jean was the first to have the recipe for 12 pies published. Having married a German man while staying fluent in Walloon proved her pride in the Belgian Heritage. Fifty years later, Jean’s daughter, Gina Guth continues to carry on the pie making tradition by teaching others how to make Belgian Pies in small batches of 2 with both in-person and online classes. Courtesy: Gina Guth, Jean’s daughter
Rita Gertrude (Tassoul) Engebose
Rita Gertrude (Tassoul) Engebose was a leap-year baby born February 29, 1916 in the township of Gardner, Wisconsin to Belgian immigrant parents Eli and Edah (Simon) Tassoul. She married Gouldie Engebose on June 20, 1933 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic church in Brussels, WI. Rita was a devout Catholic farm wife her entire life. She was no stranger to the hard work of manual labor on the farm, yet lived with absolute dedication to her children. Together with her beloved husband Gouldie, they had six children: Merle, Germaine, Eurena (Mae), Agnes (Jean), George (John), and Gary. They lived and farmed their entire life on the Brussels hill. Though she worked in the barn and the fields on the farm, Rita was also quite the homemaker, cooking, baking, and crafting. She was a master quilter, creating beautiful hand-pieced blankets for all her family members. She made pillows, creative stuffed animals for the children, holiday ornaments, and many other beautiful items. Everything she did exuded creativity and generosity. Though Rita and Gouldie did not have many opportunities to travel with the farm, they did make several trips to Belgium to visit with the distant relatives, speak Walloon, and share the heritage. In fact, they were in the first group from the Peninsula Belgian American Club to make the trip to Belgium, and they hosted many Belgian visitors over the years. Grandma Rita was known for her big meals and family gatherings. All were welcome around her table. She was famous for her “Kermiss Soup” and if more people came than planned, she’d add more water to the kettle and everybody was always well fed. She was also well known for her homemade horseradish, with those plants always growing near the barn. She was quick to smile, and always loved conversing in Walloon with her friends. Rita was a role model to her family, and her gentle spirit, soft smile, and Belgian heritage live on today. Courtesy” Kristin Alberts, Rita’s great-granddaughter.
Grace Dorothy (Herlache) Renier
Grace Dorothy (Herlache) Renier was born on March 1, 1910 in Gardner, Wisconsin to Belgian immigrant parents August and Elizabeth (DeBroux) Herlache. She married the love of her life, Edward John Renier in 1927 during the hard times of the Great Depression. Because money was tight, they could not afford a regular long wedding dress, so she was married in a shorter blue dress made to save on fabric, and that garment is treasured by family to this day. Together, Grace and Ed had three children, Roy, Janice, and Larry. Grace was a feisty, loving, and religious woman who loved her family deeply and never shied away from hard work. She grew up with the teachings of Spiritualist faith before becoming a devout Catholic. She told stories of working so hard as a young woman when her family cleared the farm land that was covered in trees and rocks. She told of wrapping their bare feet in rags as they picked stones and pulled stumps, as they could not afford shoes. She will always be remembered as a good cook, but her baking was second to none. She made big batches of cookies, Belgian pies, and other treats from her small farmhouse kitchen. She wasn’t afraid to make a mess in the kitchen, as long as everybody had a good time and plenty to eat. She loved to laugh and played plenty of jokes and tricks over the years. Grace loved nature and could identify every plant, flower, and tree in the woods. She was a good fisher-woman as well, and was always ready to clean and cook the catch. In her older years, she enjoyed taking walks in the fields and woods near her home. She was more daring than most women of her era. She drove cars, wore pants, and even smoked a cigar on occasion. Her spirit for adventure, work ethic, and spirituality live on in her family to this day. Courtesy: Kristin Alberts, Grace’s great-granddaughter.
Laura Mary (Renier) Vandertie
Laura Mary (Renier) Vandertie was born on March 15, 1911 in Misere, Brussels Township, Wisconsin to parents Frank and Sarah (Gaspard) Renier. She had one brother, Ed, and they were close friends all their lives. Laura married Harris Vandertie during the Great Depression. Her wedding ring was a simple silver band, worn thin over years of farm labor. Though she didn’t have children of her own, she was like a mother to many. She was one of the most gentle and kind women, but also a typical Belgian farm woman - incredibly hard working and of strong faith. She exemplified these values her entire life, milking cows well into her later 70’s. She prayed many rosaries, always worried about her family, and made sure everyone was fed. Like many women of the era, Laura never learned to drive, but that didn’t slow her down. She enjoyed making trips to the trailer in Wausaukee, as well as playing cards. Laura was also very skilled at crocheting, and she used her talents to create many beautiful and intricate afghans for her family. Fond memories of her linger to this day, and both her kindness and her teachings live on through all of us whom she mothered and loved. Courtesy: Pamela (Renier) Alberts
Jennie (Derenne) Baudhuin
Jennie (Derenne) Baudhuin was born July 3, 1915 to parents Joseph and Mary (Dantoin) Derenne in Duvall, Red River Township, Wisconsin. She married Raymond Baudhuin in June 1938, and they lived and farmed their entire lives on the homestead in Union Township. Together, they had one daughter, Diane. Jennie was a beautiful and hard-working farm woman, devoted entirely to her family and her Catholic faith. She was a wonderful cook and baker. Stories of the many delicious meals she prepared in her summer kitchen were shared many times over. She was known to cover a large farm table with her many wonderful dishes, including rabbit, Belgian pies, and more. Her well-kept garden was filled with a multitude of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. She kept a memorial to the Virgin Mary in her yard and prayed many rosaries. Walloon was spoken fluently in her home. In fact, her daughter didn’t even speak English until she went to school. Jennie milked cows, did chores, tended the house, and always prioritized her family, even when life was difficult. Even extended family was always welcome in her home, and she will always be remembered for her gentle and devout spirit. Courtesy: Pamela (Renier) Alberts, Jennie’s grand-daughter
Sarah Gaspard Renier
Sarah (Pulcherie/”Cherie”) Gaspard Renier was born March 15, 1890 in Misere, Brussels Township, Wisconsin to Belgian immigrant parents Francois Joseph Gaspard and Antoinette Josephe Guilette. She married Frank Renier on 29 October 1907 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Misere, where they lived their entire lives. Together, they bore two beloved children, Ed and Laura. Like many farm women, Sarah worked very hard in the fields, plowing barefoot, clearing the land, and milking cows by hand. She lost five children to miscarriage because of working so hard during pregnancy. She was a kind and gentle mother, raising her children with love and the strong Belgian work ethic. She often told the story of how she would walk a half-mile to pasture to bring the cows to the barn each morning while holding a lantern atop her head to light her path. That old, rusted lantern is treasured today. Like most all Belgian women, Sarah was an excellent cook. Fondly remembered are her canned stew meat, cream chicken, and both molasses and sugar cookies. She always ensured her family was well-fed, even when provisions were in short supply. Sarah was incredibly talented with all types of handiwork, as is evidenced by the many handcrafted things she left for her family, including intricate beadwork. Though a hard-working woman, she also had an eye and hand for delicate crafts. Memories of her wearing a house-dress with a gingham apron come to mind. A well-worn rosary was always kept in the pocket, one she had made years before from dried white beans, polished smooth by her own hands. I use that very rosary still today and remember Great-Grandma Sarah always. Courtesy: Pamela (Renier) Alberts, Sarah’s granddaughter
Eunice Hannon
Eunice Hannon was born November 30, 1909 to William and Mary (Collin) Hannon. She is a descendent of Jean Francois Hannon and his wife Jeanne Melanie Boucher, among the first Belgian immigrants to northeastern Wisconsin aboard the Quinnebaug in 1853. Eunice embraced every opportunity to learn in order to achieve her goal to become a teacher. Eunice graduated from East High School in Green Bay in 1926. She was determined to attend the Oshkosh State Teacher’s College but in September of 1926, she was stricken with infantile paralysis (polio). Undeterred, Eunice made arrangements to take courses through the University of Wisconsin Extension. During the years from 1926 to 1933 while fighting polio, she accumulated 61 credits of course work and in September of 1933, she was granted entry into the Oshkosh State Teacher’s College with junior status. Eunice entered the University of Wisconsin at Madison for her senior year and completed her B.A. in education on June 26, 1935. Eunice returned to the Champion area to live at the Hannon homestead and for the first two years of her teaching career served as Principal of Champion Graded School. In the fall of 1937, she was hired by the school board and Principal George Gregor for $800/year to teach at Luxemburg High School, then with an enrollment of 135 students. Both were criticized for hiring a “handicapped person” that many felt would be missing half the time. Miss Hannon dispelled all those fears and was feted at her retirement party in 1975 for never having missed a single day throughout her entire teaching career. She encouraged her students to “cultivate the habit of getting the other person’s point of view and the habit of being able to take criticism.” Always one to set an example of citizenship, in 1942 she organized a chapter of the high school student Victory Corps so they could learn about contribute to the war effort. In addition, she carried on her family tradition of serving and supporting the Robinsonville Presbyterian Church with her time, treasure and talent. She served for many years as the Sunday School Superintendent and was instrumental in coordinating and memorializing the 100th anniversary in 1961. In 1975, at the age of 65, Eunice Hannon retired after teaching for 39 years. The community feted her at a celebration where students and community alike thanked her for her dedication and commitment to ensuring her students were proud and contributing members of society. Her tombstone in the Robinsonville Presbyterian Cemetery contains one final accolade.. “a beloved teacher”. Courtesy: Donna Bultman
Anatolie Aldegonde VanCaster Chaudoir
Anatolie VanCaster was born on 11 Nov 1845 to parents Pelagie Gauthier and Theodore VanCaster in Beauvechain, Province of Brabant, Belgium. She was the third of seven children born to the Van Casters. The VanCaster family was friends with the Joseph Chaudoir family, which is how Anatolie met their son, Pierre Justine Chaudoir (known as Justin) and they were married in Belgium on October 29, 1870. Justin was a farmer in Tourinnes-la-Grosse, Belgium. They left their home with their two children Theodore and Elie on July 12, 1873 and arrived in the Port of Detroit on August 12, 1873. They traveled to Union Township, Door County where Justin acquired a parcel of land near his brother Antoine on the shores of Green Bay. Justin and Anatolie went on to have nine more children: Mathilde, Antone, Alice, Josephine, Jules, Honorine, Celestin, Justin Peter, and Marie. Through letters Justin wrote to his solicitor in Belgium we know the Chaudoir family arrived in good health. Justin writes that “Lalie” (Justin affectionately calls his wife) was the strongest on the trip over. She did not get sick and she had to care for Justin and the kids. Anatolie’s husband Justin and his brothers were very ambitious and wanted the best for their family in their new country. He was a farmer growing potatoes and hay and then went into business in Brussels as a flour and sawmill owner. While Justin was busy with that Anatolie was left to raise the children and keep the home fires going. Anatolie died of pneumonia on the 20 Dec 1887 at the age of 42, the same year her youngest child Marie died. According to her son, Jule Chaudoir, his mother died as a result of pulling logs out of the water. Logs were picked up and put on horse drawn carts to heat homes back then and after doing this she fell ill and never recovered. Funeral services were held 10 February 1888. She is believed to be buried with her husband Justin at St. Mary of the Snows in Namur. In 1890 Justin writes to his solicitor in Belgium “what a misfortune it was losing my poor Anatolie. She was a good wife and mother.” Courtesy: Lisa Columbo, Anatolie’s great-great granddaughter